Prof. Koch's Method to Cure Tuberculosis Popularly TreatedBirnbaum, Max
Science
Prof. Koch's Method to Cure Tuberculosis Popularly Treated
Birnbaum, Max
Tuberculin; Tuberculosis
Henceforth the sputum is also to be thrown in a _spittoon_ which is
either entirely empty or on account of easier cleansing has the bottom
covered with a thin layer of water. It should not be permitted to fill
the spittoons with sand or sawdust as the tubercle bacilli can be easily
thrown up with the dust.
In the case of a _sudden attack_ of _cough_ a _cloth_ should be held to
the mouth to hinder spreading of the fine spray, the same should also be
used for wiping the mouth. However the cloth must soon be dampened and
cleaned.
As bits of the sputum easily stick to the _beard_ especially the
moustache overhanging the lips, therefore lung consumptives are advised
to wear a short or no beard.
_Glasses_, _spoons_, etc. used by consumptives must only be used by
other persons after a thorough cleaning with hot water.
The lungdiseased person should abstain from all active and passive
_kissing_, in unavoidable cases kissing should be done on the forehead
or cheek only, or hold out those parts only to be kissed. In the same
way he should avoid to touch objects with his mouth that may possible be
put in the mouth by other persons, especially children, for instance
toy-trumpets.
In the case of _death_ from pulmonary consumption, the walls of all
rooms and apartments used by the deceased should be rubbed down with
fresh baked bread, which is a sure method of removing the bacilli. The
bread crumbs that may have dropped on the floor may be removed by a
thorough scrubbing with soap, brush and lye.
Upholstered furniture, beds, clothes and wash should be cleaned in a
disinfecting place.
Do not wait with precautionary measures till some member of the family
has been attacked by pulmonary consumption, but make preparation to
prevent the infection while everybody is still sound and healthy.
This care ought to begin in a measure with the _birth of a child_. The
same should not be nursed by a mother with diseased lungs nor by a
wet-nurse with like affections. Generally wet-nurses are only tested for
syphilis; scrofula and tuberculosis receive altogether too little
attention.
An important precautionary measure consists in the supervision of the
_food_. The abattoirs and dairies should be placed under the supervision
of practical physicians, and the sale of products derived from
tuberculous cattle be prohibited. This refers to the milk in the first
instance. Tuberculous cows should be excluded from dairy-farms. Raw milk
should be avoided as much as possible as boiled milk has the same value.
The _meat inspection_ must be strictly conducted especially with
reference to tuberculosis in the case of beef, pork and chickens. Sheep
are not subject to tuberculosis.
The _associations_ of children in school and on the play-ground should
be watched; do not let them visit in strange families before making
thorough investigation as to their sanitary relations.
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